Gladwin Area Friends of the Theatre program got its start in 1979 when Carl Benander directed Barefoot in the Park on the racetrack of the county fairgrounds. With the success of the first show, it was suggested that he try a musical and, with the backing of the Gladwin Council for the Arts, The Music Man was presented to sell out crowds. The early musicals became a summer must for many families and the casts ranged from sixty to the high of eighty-three local performers, plus the members of the orchestra and backstage crew. The early years were truly a community project.

The first four years were spent in front of the grandstands at the county fairgrounds and saw the performances of Fiddler on the Roof, and Carousel in addition to the two previously mentioned. After four years it was decided by Mayor Robertson that it would be better if the summer musicals were performed in the City Park, which is in the heart of this fair community. And so, our fifth play, Brigadoon, began the years at the Gladwin City Park.